a whole generation decides that they can’t become researchers unless independently wealthy

That’s literally why I had to give up on my research career during the Recession. Very few of my colleagues who continued in academia are even marginally well off. Many have been stuck on the post-doc treadmill of no job security and “student” pay while full-time professorships are outnumbered by adjunct positions, which have marginally greater job security than a fast food worker and about the same benefits.